HAMILTON, Bermuda -- At the ripe old age of 95, the upscale Elbow
Beach has never looked better. This venerable hotel just completed
$4.4 million in renovations -- and that's only the beginning.
The Cafe Lido was gutted and renovated and now has an entirely
fresh interior. Elbow Beach also added a nightclub, Deep, which is
situated within the restaurant but accessed through a separate
entrance. Cafe Lido guests are admitted free of charge to Deep.
Further renovations, which will be phased in through 2005, will
include face-lifts to guest accommodations.
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, a member of Leading Hotels of
the World, took over management of Elbow Beach in March 2001.
"We're taking this grande dame and bringing her up to today's
standards -- with Mandarin Oriental flair and service," said
Randolph Wilcott, the property's director of sales and
marketing.
Wilcott stressed that although the renovations will reflect
Asian touches that are in evidence at all Mandarin Oriental
properties, Elbow Beach will maintain much of its distinctly
Bermuda-style ambience.
By July 1, Elbow Beach will complete renovations of its
beachfront suites. The renovated suites will be refurnished and
will feature larger, more opulent bathrooms.
The
hotel is situated on a half-mile-long beach, five minutes from
Hamilton. "No other hotel has as much private beachfront as Elbow
Beach," Wilcott said.
There also are changing cabanas and chaise lounges with
umbrellas and towels.
According to Wilcott, 75% to 85% of the property's business is
North American-driven, and a third of that business comes from the
Northeast corridor.
Its clientele is decidedly affluent, he said, and 65% of its
business comes through individual travelers. Nonetheless, Elbow
Beach also draws its share of high-end meetings and incentives
groups. In all, it boasts 10,000 square feet of function space.
The resort's 244 rooms and suites are scattered throughout 55
acres, and 88% feature ocean views. A four-story main building
houses 138 rooms. There also are 106 cottage colony accommodations
and butler-serviced Royal Suites.
"It's an extremely historical property. We're a hotel but also a
cottage colony," Wilcott said.
In addition to the Lido Cafe, dining options include the
Seahorse Grill, which features what Elbow Beach dubs New Bermudian
Cuisine.
The Veranda Bar off the hotel lobby, with leather armchairs and
vintage Bermuda photographs, has a cigar room and serves cocktails
and a light menu.
Happy Blue Pool offers a casual dining option poolside, serving
burgers and fresh fish. Mickey's Beach & Bistro, as its name
implies, is located on the beach and offers breakfast, lunch and
dinner fare. It's open from May to October. The Sea Breeze
overlooks the ocean and features al fresco dining.
Sports options include play on five Plexipave tennis courts.
Tee times at any golf course on Bermuda can be arranged through
the concierge. The hotel has a dive shop, sea kayaks, aqua cycles
and snorkeling equipment.
In addition, Elbow Beach has a fitness center, a hair and nail
salon, full-service concierge, 24-hour room service and laundry and
valet service with a 24-hour turnaround.
Rates start at $187.50 per person, double.
For more information, contact Elbow Beach at (800) 223-7434 or
Leading Hotels of the World at (800) 223-6800.
Travel agent commission is 10%. "We pay promptly," said Wilcott.
"Travel agents are extremely important to us."